Lloyd Decker

PhD Candidate, Computer Science, Old Dominion University

Operational Research Analyst, Department of the Navy

About me

I am first and foremost a husband and father. Some have called me a professional student. While I may not agree with "professional", I do believe that we should never stop learning. Just as you need exercise for a healthy body, you need learning for a healthy mind. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science from Old Dominion University. I currently work for the Department of the Navy and have Over 20 years of leadership experience in high-trust Operational Research positions with global commercial and Department of Defense organizations. Finally, I am an avid "Do It Yourself" guy. I love learning how things work and fixing them myself.

Dissertation

Thesis Statement

A mobility-aware, incentive-compatible vehicular cloud can provide elastic, reliable, and energy-aware virtual data center capacity by orchestrating idle Tesla vehicles over high-speed wireless networks, mitigating grid and siting constraints while meeting latency, throughput, and reliability SLAs.

Title

Vehicular Cloud as a Virtual Data Center: Orchestration, Incentives, and Reliability for Ad Hoc Tesla Clusters over 5G/6G

Abstract

The rapid growth of AI and cloud workloads is outpacing datacenter construction while straining electric grids and facing siting opposition. This dissertation proposes a virtual data center built from ad hoc clusters of Tesla vehicles connected via high-speed wireless networks. We present a reference architecture for secure, accountable orchestration across idle vehicles, integrating resource discovery, mobility-aware placement, proactive migration, and redundancy. We develop stochastic models of availability, queueing, and wireless capacity to analyze SLA compliance under churn, and design energy-aware scheduling that respects battery and charging constraints. An incentive-compatible spot market aligns vehicle-owner rewards with task requirements, with proofs of truthfulness and budget balance. Through trace-driven simulations combining urban mobility, 3GPP channel models, EV charging profiles, and cloud workloads, we compare against edge/fog and micro-datacenter baselines. Results indicate that, under realistic conditions, vehicular clusters can deliver competitive tail latency and cost for selected workloads while reducing grid stress by utilizing distributed energy and shifting compute in time and space. We discuss security, privacy, and ethical implications, and outline pathways to deployment via charging-station co-location and cellular integration.

A Survey of the Historical Evolution of Data Centers

Work Experience

Lead Test Engineer, Department of the Navy

Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force : 2014- 2017, 2024 - Present

Lead Test Engineer responsible for overseeing test teams to ensure the most current test plan processes, procedure, and templates are being utilized. Implement concepts, procedures and designs to achieve standard methodologies to address operational test and evaluation issues. Evaluate testing design to determine if the testing methodologies are repeatable and defendable. Provide process guidance to evaluate major defense acquisition system’s operational effectiveness and suitability to address any critical operational issues and offer a resolution. Collaborate with test teams during the Mission Based Test Design process to determine minimum and adequate test requirements, manpower requirements, and resource requirements for operational tests. Guide test team through the test plan process to ensure the test plan is executed correctly and data is collected per the test plan. Implement and update best practices for analyzing data collection. Manage the post-test iterative process to review test and evaluation results from operational tests to ensure they have been evaluated correctly and have a sound repeatable scientific basis for the conclusion. Communicate system deficiencies identified during testing to leadership for resolution. Give advice and guidance on the interpretation of operational effectiveness and suitability attributes for implementation. Represent the command during test conferences and visibility meetings to effectively communicate the approach to operational testing.

Network Operations Lead, Department of the Navy

Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force : 2018 - 2024

Responsible for serving as the point of contact and lead for all future operations projects such as the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation 2025 (COTF 2025) initiative. This strategic Information Technology (IT) growth plan incorporates several multi-million dollar projects spanning multiple fiscal years that will modernization Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force’s Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Video Telecommunication Conferences (VTCs), Virtual Server Infrastructure, and Command Naval message system for headquarters and subordinate commands. Serves as the liaison between 20 Division (Information Technology division) and the Network Modernization IPT. Serves as the lead for Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force’s Training and Assist Visit (TAV), Command Cybersecurity Readiness Inspection (CCRI), and Inspector General (IG) cybersecurity inspection. Coordinates efforts across all 20 Division Team Leads to ensure Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force is preparation of TAV, CCRI and IG inspections. Serves as the 20 Division lead integrator, using professional leadership to ensure unity of effort across the 20 Division sections, including hands-on effort to solve issues within the network. Develop policies and guidelines on application of Information Management and Information Technology (IM/IT) strategies to comply with OPNAV and DON CIO policies. Develop policies and guidelines for Cyber Security Workforce (CSWF) Management and workforce development and training.

Senior Project/Network Engineer, Department of the Navy

Dahlgren Division, NAVSEA : 2003 - 2014

Tactical Systems Support Network (TSSN) Lead Network Engineer

Lead Network Engineer for the network infrastructure supporting the RDT&E laboratories located at CDSA Dam Neck. Responsible for achieving the DoD Information Technology Security Certification & Accreditation Process (DITSCAP) for the TSSN. Responsible for the WAN connectivity provided by the Defense Research Engineering Network (DREN). Provide Internet and VPN capability for inter-laboratory collaboration both on-site and off-site. Design, implement, and maintain the current security model including external screening router, firewall, and monitoring capabilities for TSSN threat prevention.

Multiple Vehicle Communications System (MVCS) Lead System Architect

Lead System Architect for the network and system design of the Multiple Vehicle Communications System planned for deployment on the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class of ships. Responsible for all unmanned vehicle communications with the LCS Seaframe including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Mine Interdiction Warfare (MIW), and Surface Warfare (SUW) mission packages. Lead a team of network engineers responsible for the design and implementation of the system architecture. Designed a network solution to allow multiple unmanned vehicles to communicate utilizing existing tactical radio assets. Designed a fully robust Layer 3 network within a virtual Layer 2 network to accommodate Navy security and LCS network architectures. Implemented Priority of Service utilizing Differentiated Service Code Point. Coordinated activities between NSWC Panama City, SPAWAR San Diego, and NSWC Dam Neck. Lead effort to migrate current from IPv4 to IPv6 per Navy doctrine.

Open Architecture Voice over IP (VoIP) Lead Network Engineer

Lead network engineer responsible for the design and implementation of an open architecture VoIP solution. Utilized open source PBX software in conjunction with multiple vendor SIP devices such as Cisco, Polycom, Snom, and Grandstream. Implemented a site to site VoIP network utilizing multiple call servers. Implemented a secure network utilizing VPNs to allow lab to lab testing of single and multiple call servers.

Combat Systems Network Test and Evaluation (CSNTE) Lead Network Engineer

Lead Network Engineer of a team of network engineers that design, test, and evaluate network solutions. Design and evaluate broadband, highly redundant, self-healing networks for both WAN and LAN technologies for Fleet applications. Utilize state of the art network load and performance tools to investigate the robustness of current and planned network infrastructures.

Composite Health Care System II (CHCS II) Lead Systems Engineer

Lead Systems Engineer reporting directly to the Program Manager for the Composite Health Care System II. Responsible for all architectural and technical decisions for the CHCS II program. Responsible for all technical issues related to the maintenance of current CHCS II sites and installation of new CHCS II sites. Responsible for the oversight of the Defense Information System Agency’s (DISA) maintenance of the CHCS II Wide Area Network (WAN) and CHCS II server farm located in Montgomery, Alabama. Responsible for the oversight of the prime contractor (Integic) and various sub-contractors (Oracle, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft) for their development and maintenance of the CHCS II software. Coordinated activities between CHCS II Program Office, DISA, and all contractors to resolve issues concerning the “way ahead” for the CHCS II program.

Advanced Combat Display System (ACDS) Network Upgrade Project Lead

Lead Network Engineer in an effort to upgrade the existing ACDS network infrastructure. Existing network infrastructure required manual alerting, notification, and resolving of network link failures. Current and future needs required automatic alerting, notification, and resolution of network link failures. Evaluated, designed, and implemented a near real time failover solution to meet present and future needs.

CVN 21 Interior Communications Lead

Lead Systems Engineer responsible for the requirements generation and clarification of the Interior Communications for the CVN 21 Class of Aircraft Carrier. Responsible for the evaluation of possible integration of various systems including machinery control, voice communications, video distribution, and technical training for the CVN 21 Class. Responsible for the generation of the Interior Communications portion of the CVN 21 Warfare System’s Systems Requirement Document (SRD). Coordinated activities between SPAWAR and NAVSEA to create the CVN 21 Warfare System’s SRD.

CVN 78 Navigation Team Member

System Engineer responsible for the oversight of the Lead Design Yard’s role in designing and implementing the navigation system for the CVN 78 Aircraft Carrier. Coordinate activities between the Lead Design Yard and the CVN 21 Warfare System’s working group to ensure fusion between the CVN 78 Navigation System requirements and the CVN 21 Class Warfare Systems requirements.

Network Modernization IPT Lead, Department of the Navy

Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force : 2017 - 2018

Network Modernization IPT Lead responsible for defining requirements for the strategic network infrastructure growth plan. Research and evaluate hardware and software solutions to meet mission requirements. Conduct cost/benefit analysis of potential material solutions. Summarize and present to leadership potential integrated material solution options. Recommend command network process and organizational changes as applicable. Develop IM/IT multi-year budgets for strategic growth plan execution. Manage day-to-day responsibilities of procurement including purchase requests, contract solicitations, and contract management. Develop and execute an implementation schedule for approval options. Big Data Analytics Research Lead responsible for defining requirements for future Big Data Analytics lab. Data Collection Research Lead responsible for defining requirements for future Big Data Analytics lab. Organizational/Division Support responsible for internal Command communications with other warfare divisions and leverage training opportunities to support product development and process improvement. Demonstrate use of critical thinking and scientific reasoning to test programs of responsibility. Provides innovative solutions to unique problems and deliver applicable recommendations.

Senior Network Engineer, Northrop Grumman

Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding & Carrier Integration Center (VASCIC) : 2001 - 2003

Network Engineer, Siemens

Siemens Automotive : 1998 - 2001

Administered an Alcatel Omni Switch/Router and Alcatel 4024 Edge Switch network of 1500 end stations. Administered Frame Relay and CSU/DSU WAN links to remote sites utilizing Cisco routers. Configured and administered a firewall solution utilizing Checkpoint Firewall-1 and Cisco screening routers. Implemented and administered a Websense web content filter. Implemented Internet Authentication Servers, Terminal Servers, and Print Servers utilizing Windows 2000. Implemented and administered a Commvault Vault98 enterprise network backup solution for Banyan, Windows NT, Microsoft Exchange, AIX, SCO UNIX, LINUX, Silicon Graphics, and Oracle databases.

Teaching Experience

CS 150 Problem Solving and Programming I

Introduction to computer-based problem solving and programming in C++. Topics include problem solving methodologies, program design, algorithm development, and testing. C++ language concepts include variables, data types and expressions, assignment, control-flow statements, functions, arrays, pointers, structs, and classes.

CS 170 Introduction to Computer Architecture I

Fundamentals of the architecture and operation of modern computers. Basic computer logic: logic equations; gates; combinatorial logic. Basic computer arithmetic: binary numbers; floating point representation. System hierarchy, overview of a computer; integrated circuit technology. Performance: metrics; choosing benchmarks; Amdahl's law. Instruction Sets and Operations: assembly language; machine language; examples of other instruction sets.

CS 270 Introduction to Computer Architecture II

Fundamentals of the architecture and operation of modern computers. Building an ALU. The cache-Ram interaction. The virtual memory system. The Fetch/Execute cycle. Implementing a set of the ALU, Load/Store and Branch instructions in a single cycle implementation. Basics of microprogramming. Design of the control unit. A pipelined implementation. Multicores, multiprocessors and clusters.

CS 300T Computers in Society

Covers changes in the world's society due to continuing implementation of computing technologies. Evaluation of technological expansions in areas of governments, business/industry, education, medicine, transportation, communication and entertainment. Topics include: intellectual property, software piracy, computer crimes and ethics.

CS 350 Software Engineering

An exploration of the software development process, with an emphasis on the tools and techniques that support project teams. Topics include: software development process models, requirements, automated testing, documentation, build, version and configuration management, issue tracking, and agile methods. The course requires each student to participate as a member of a project team and to demonstrate proficiency with a variety of development tools.

CS 410 Professional Workforce Development I

Provides students with challenges of business environments in developing a technology based project. Students identify a societal problem, identify solutions, define project solutions, develop project objectives, conduct feasibility analysis, establish organizational group structure to meet project objectives and develop formal specifications. Students make formal technical project presentations and develop web documentation. Students prepare a draft grant proposal.

CS 411 Professional Workforce Development II

CSC 200 Computer Science I

Introduces problem solving and implementation of solutions using a high level programming language in a structured programming environment. Includes concepts and practice of structured programming, problem-solving, top-down design of algorithms, a high level programming language syntax, control structures, arrays, and an introduction into object oriented programming. The assignments in this course require mathematical problem solving skills, algebraic modeling and functions, and use of variables.

ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts

Covers computer concepts and Internet skills and uses a software suite that includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to demonstrate skills required for computer literacy.

ITE 119 Information Literacy

Presents the information literacy core competencies focusing on the use of information technology skills. Skills and knowledge will be developed in database searching, computer applications, information security and privacy, and intellectual property issues.

ITE 120 Principles of Information Systems

Provides an overview of the fundamentals of computer information systems. Focuses on the role of computers in business today including hardware, software, analysis, design and implementation of information systems. Includes an introduction to computer ethics, and business and personal security. Exposes students to techniques used in programming and system development. Utilizes a hands-on component for spreadsheets, databases, and web design applications.

ITD 130 Database Fundamentals

Introduces the student to Relational Database and Relational Database theory. Includes planning, defining and using a database; table design, linking, and normalization; types of databases, database description and definition.

ITN 109 Internet and Network Foundations

Provides a basic comprehension of Internet and network technologies including IT job roles, connection methods, TCP/IP functionality and DNS. Explores web server technologies with security and project management concepts. Introduces network creation, physical and logical topologies including media properties, server types, IP addressing and network security.

ITN 260 Network Security Basics

Provides instruction in fundamentals of wireless information systems. Course content includes terms, standards, components, and operating requirements in the design and implementation of wireless networks.